Johannes Radebe has admitted to crying ahead of hosting Strictly Come Dancing live for the first time as he swapped being a professional dancer for being one of the show's new presenters. The BBC One dance contest's first-ever hosting trio, also featuring Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe, made their live debut last Saturday (September 26) as week one of the 2026 series got underway.
A New Presenting Line-Up
The episode opened with a routine by the Strictly professionals to an orchestral version of Joy by Raye, during which the presenting trio joined the dance at the end before introducing the 15 couples to the ballroom floor. The new hosts replaced former presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who exited at the end of Strictly's 2025 series.
Viewers took to social media to share their views on the three-person presenting format, with some suggesting it "doesn't work" with three people. The presenters have since revealed details about the chaotic first live show, with Emma describing it as a "baptism of fire".
Emotional Admission
Johannes also admitted he was emotional ahead of the first live show, as It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor asked how he felt not taking part in the show as a professional dancer, a role he has held since 2017. "I did cry," he admitted. "In rehearsal, seeing them all come down in their outfits, knowing what they're dancing that week, what they had to go through in the past two weeks, I was just like, 'Ugh, I miss that.' But I've got partners with me, so it's fine," he said.
Looking Ahead to Movie Week
The couples have since returned to rehearsals for the second week of the competition, which takes place on Saturday (October 3) and will be the show's annual Movie Week special. It will also mark the first exit of the 2026 series, with the results show set to air on Sunday (October 4).
Asked how he feels about the elimination, Josh admitted: "I feel really bad. I feel terrible already. Do you know what, I think I'm just going to do the Saturday show this week, and leave the other two to do the Sunday. Last week, after the show, it was just joyous, everyone was really happy, and then Jojo went to us, 'Wait till next week.'"
